Margao: The United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) said the further damage done by the Goa Police to their reputation in arresting peace-loving people on the Liberation Day in Panjim, proved yet again that they act at the behest of their dictatorial masters without respect to the tenets of law and, as such, is a pointer that the ‘present Government has retired at 60 and that Salazar has taken over in Goa’.
Calling it a ‘tragedy’, UGDP President Dr Jorson Fernandes, lambasted the police for swooping on a peaceful gathering where the youngsters had gathered to showcase their talents with assorted programmes like singing, drama, music and dance.
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“They were not involved in any unlawful activity aimed at disturbing the official government celebration on the Liberation Day. Neither did they have any plans to disturb the presidential function. Consequently, the police behaviour reminded one of Salazarism wherein the police ruled supreme with the likes of Agente Monteiro ruling the roost. It was inconceivable that peace-loving citizens would be rounded up in a democratic set up which is now earning a totalitarian title. It was brazenly an illegal act. It was an undemocratic act worthy of total condemnation,” asserted Fernandes.
UGDP called the anniversary function an election ploy.
“All that reinforces the view that dictatorship is now the order of the day, come what may, just to retain power at any cost. The people are now advised what not to eat, what not to wear and now not to even to gather peacefully, even if it means as a matter of dissent in a rightful and dignified manner. Goa has reached the nadir of democracy, something that Salazar did prior to 1961,” Fernandes remarked.
He stressed that the police action is a clear case of violation of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution and even recently validated by the Supreme Court.
“The public has every right to celebrate and there was a celebration in a private property, there being no law and order problem whatsoever. As such, the police had no right to intervene. Worse was the fact that some minors were detained and a young mother arrested with her little one left unattended and uncared for”, he added.
He said the sordid happenings are a sad reflection of the high manipulative skills of the present Government and are in sync with the Salazar methodology of the pre-Liberation era.
He pleaded that the Goa State Police Complaints Authority should take cognisance of the rude and unlawful behaviour of the incompetent police.
